Avoiding Danger During the 9 Days

During the three-week mourning period between the 17th of Tammuz (the day the walls of
Jerusalem were breached) and the ninth
of Av (the day the First and Second Temples were destroyed), there is a
custom to be careful to not to do anything that may be dangerous.1

The reason for this is that it is an especially
ominous time, as can be seen from the many tragedies that befell the Jewish
people during this period, including the breaching of the walls around
Jerusalem, the destruction of both Temples, the
slaughter of the Jews of Beitar, and the Jewish expulsions from England, France
and Spain (respectively). In more recent history, the Germans declared war on
Russia on the ninth of Av 1914, precipitating the First World War, which had
tragic repercussions for the Jews of Europe and ultimately led to the Second
World War and the Holocaust. Till today, this time of year seems to be
especially unpropitious.

In fact, the period of the Three Weeks is called Bein HaMetzarim (translated as “the
narrow places” or “between the narrow straits”) after the verse in Lamentations, “Judah has gone into exile because of
misery and harsh oppression; when she settled among the nations, she found no
rest; all her pursuers overtook her in
the narrow places.”3 The very name
denotes a time of vulnerability.

Malicious Force

In addition to it being an ominous time, the Midrash
describes a malevolent force named Ketev Meriri that is especially active
during this three-week period.4 Rabbi Abba
bar Kahana says that it is active from an hour before midday (the time when the
sun is at the highest point) until midafternoon.5
Rabbi Levi places this activity somewhat earlier.6 We are further advised that this mysterious
force does not walk in the sun or shade but in the shadow near the sun.

What to Avoid?

Try to
avoid walking alone, especially from the end of the fourth halachic hour to the
beginning of the ninth hour of the day.7
(Note: Most are of the opinion that this only applies to walking in the
outskirts of a city, a place where people don’t frequent.)

Avoid
hitting others, including students and children, even for disciplinary
purposes.9 (Whether or
not it is ever a good idea to do so is an entirely different topic and outside
of the purview of this article.)

Unless it’s extremely
urgent, one should try to avoid having surgery during the Three Weeks. If one
is unable to delay it until after the Three Weeks, then one should try to
schedule it prior to Shabbat Chazon
(the Shabbat before the ninth of Av).10